The Journal of Seismic Exploration (JSE) is an international medium for the publication of research in seismic modeling, processing, inversion, interpretation, field techniques, borehole techniques, tomography, instrumentation and software.

The aim and goal of JSE is to serve the interests and objectives of seismic petroleum exploration.  All seismic processing methods have assumptions and prerequisites- and when they are satisfied methods are effective-and when they are violated methods become ineffective and can fail. The latter contributes to drilling dry hole exploration wells and suboptimal development wells.  

There is often a disconnect between the reporting of 100% success by researchers in Geophysical Journals, International Conferences and Workshops- and e.g., the one in ten successful drilling rate in the frontier region of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (at 300 million dollars a well).  Within that disconnect resides a great opportunity- to define and to address the actual challenges in seismic exploration.

That requires both a communication with those interpreting data and making drill decisions, to ascertain when methods within the seismic toolbox are working and when (and where)  they are not-and then to connect the seismic method breakdown with the assumptions that are being violated within current capability. That identification of the actual problems and challenges in seismic exploration is a key and essential step in a research program that is relevant and designed to improve the overall capability of the seismic toolbox.

JSE is a journal that exists to serve and support that goal and objective. It is essential to define exactly what is missing within the seismic toolbox that the submitted manuscript is providing and addressing- and in the conclusions of the paper to clearly state what are the assumptions within the method being proposed- so the next generation of researchers will know how to make further advances, contributions, and progress. Within the above framework papers can have embryonic ideas and others can have concepts and methods that are more developed and mature.

There is never a final word, or ultimate solution- in science and in seismic exploration; it is always provisional and a work in progress. We believe that the orientation and purpose of this journal is unique, relevant, and entirely worthwhile.